Posted on 04/05/2008 6:15:27 PM PDT by SwinneySwitch
MEXICO CITY— The U.S. ambassador to Mexico warned that the United States may issue a heightened travel alert next week.
In recent years, Mexico has suffered a wave of organized crime and drug-related violence that killed more than 2,500 people last year alone.
"While there is little doubt in my mind that the travel alert should be reissued, it may also be necessary to heighten the alert to better reflect the increasing insecurity in the state of Chihuahua," U.S. Ambassador Tony Garza said in a statement Friday.
An alert issued last year by the State Department warns Americans about travel in areas of the country where foreigners have been targeted. The alert is due to expire on April 15.
Garza was speaking in Ciudad Juarez, which the Mexican government has flooded with soldiers and federal police to curb soaring violence. About 200 people have been killed in the Chihuahua state city of 1.3 million since Jan. 1.
Also Friday, the Mexican Defense Department announced that a military court is investigating five soldiers for their alleged role in the killings of four civilians and two soldiers.
A military judge issued an arrest warrant and considers them suspects in a March 26 confrontation in the Mexican state of Sinaloa, the department said in a statement. It didn't give further details on the deaths but said the investigation remained open.
In a second statement, the department said two soldiers deserted Thursday and were later killed during a gunbattle with police in the state of Nuevo Leon. Three state police officers and a civilian also died in the violence.
Too the US I hope.....
Anyone who hasn’t figured out by now to mark Mexico off their vacation list wouldn’t abide by any warning.
Ping!
If you want on, or off this S. Texas/Mexico ping list, please FReepMail me.
Not Tony!;^)
We used to go to Mexico twice a year, was my fav place. We haven’t been since 2002 and will not go back. Since then we have been to the Bahamas, Hawaii, etc. There are many other places to go instead.
Oh yeah another reason is the city I live in has turned into Mexico. If I start wanting to go to Mexico again, I can just drive around certain areas (with the doors locked) and get over it quickly.
I go to Canada every year for my vacation. Better time, food and accommodations, AND I don’t have to worry about being kidnapped, killed or cheated. Might have to take a little flack (depending on where you go), otherwise, a great time can be had by all.
There are so many places better then Mexico, and safer …
Argentina was great and I highly recommend it, especially Bariloche in the Pategonia region. Absolute heaven for me.
It seems that Mexico is becoming more dangerous than that other country we always hear about; Iraq!
Travel to Mexico at your own risk. Lawless, corrupt, dangerous and getting worse daily
I know folks that travel in a caravan to central America every year. I know that when someone tries to do it alone they get bushwhacked.
Never, EVER try to travel into southern Mexico without at least 20 people. You WILL get hijacked.
I used to go to Mexico, mostly Mexico City, for business so I an well aware of the third world character of the place, but I have never been to Cabo San Lucas and always wanted to see it. It looks isolated at least geographically, is it as bad as the rest of the country?
Ten years ago, my sister had a place in Baja (San Felipe), LOVED the place, and couldn't figure out why I'd take the family up to Canada on vacation when Mexico was so close (we lived 50 miles north of the border). She wondered if I was a racist (she's a liberal). I told her that I didn't feel like a financial target when I went up there. The one time I went to Mexico, everybody had their hand out.
Last year she sold the place, but wouldn't say why. I'll have to ask her if she's gone racist.
LOL!
the second time was in with just ourselves and some friends....that time we went by the tour bus....
but thinking back, why did we do that?....we did buy some nice blue glasses however....
People get the government they deserve, and Mexico is a rat hole because of Mexicans. There are many good Mexicans here illegally that will become good Americans, but there are also many that we will ultimately have to exterminate or imprison.
Years ago Americans bought into the lie that all cultures are equal. They are not. Mexico is one of the largest countries in the world and has commensurate resources. Mexico should be one of the world's important powers. Japan, on the other hand, should not. The difference is the culture.
And lest there be any doubt, Mexico is many times more racist than the US.
Cozumel doesn’t seem to have been affected by the mainland crime wave...
I agree, Cozumel has always felt safe to me. Even walking along the dark streets at night, we felt safer than in any American city.
Went Puerta Vallarta last August to an all-inclusive resort. My sweetie and I had a great time.
It was hot but the hotel was well-done, the beach was nice — the food and drinks were excellent.
We did do a trip planner meeting — but it wasn’t high-pressure. They took no as an answer.
I would go back.
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